Methods for assaying percentage of glycated hemoglobin

ABSTRACT

The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and peroxidase. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of provisional patentapplications U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/833,390, filed Jul. 25, 2006, and60/858,809, filed Nov. 13, 2006, all of which are incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides direct enzymatic assay for determining percentageof glycated hemoglobin in a blood sample.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A glycated protein is a substance which is produced by the non-enzymaticand irreversible binding of the amino group of an amino acidconstituting a protein, with the aldehyde group of a reducing sugar suchas aldose. See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,138. Such a non-enzymatic andirreversible binding reaction is also called “Amadori rearrangement,”and therefore the above-mentioned glycated protein may also be called“Amadori compound” in some cases.

Nonenzymatic glycation of proteins has been implicated in thedevelopment of certain diseases, e.g., diabetic complications and theaging process (Takahashi et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272 (19):12505-7(1997); and Baynes and Monnier, Prog. Clin. Biol. Res., 304:1-410(1989)). This reaction leads to dysfunction of target molecules throughformation of sugar adducts and cross-links. Considerable interest hasfocused on the Amadori product that is the most important “early”modification during nonenzymatic glycation in vitro and in vivo.

Various assays for glycated proteins are known. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 6,127,138 discloses that a sample containing a glycated protein istreated with Protease XIV or a from Aspergillus genus, thereafter (orwhile treating the sample with the above protease) FAOD (fructosyl aminoacid oxidase) is caused to react with the sample so as to measure theamount of oxygen consumed by the FAOD reaction or the amount of theresultant reaction product, thereby to measure the glycated protein.

In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,006 discloses that the amount ofglycated proteins in a sample can be quantified by reacting the samplewith first a reagent which is a combination of a protease and aperoxidase and second with a ketoamine oxidase. U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,006also discloses a kit which contains the combined peroxidase/proteaseenzyme reagent and also the ketoamine oxidase. U.S. Pub. No.2005/0014935 also discloses methods and kits for measuring amount ofglycated protein using a chimeric amadoriase. U.S. Pub. No. 2003/0162242and EP 1304385 A1 also disclose methods of selectively determiningglycated hemoglobin.

Previously described methods for determining percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c require a separate measurement of total hemoglobin in thesamples. When a chemistry analyzer is used to determine the value ofpercentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c, a dual channel format isrequired. In this format, two separate assays are performed todetermine 1) glycated hemoglobin A1c concentration, and 2) totalhemoglobin concentration in the samples; and followed by calculating theratio of glycated HbA1c to total hemoglobin to obtain percentage ofHbA1c.

All patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods for direct determination of percentage ofglycated hemoglobin in a blood sample without the need of a separatedmeasurement of total hemoglobin in the sample. Since there is no needfor a separate measurement of total hemoglobin and no need for a ratiocalculation step, the present methods can be fully automated and usedwith various chemical analyzers in a single channel format.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for directlyassaying percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without measuring the totalhemoglobin in the blood sample in a separate process, said methodcomprising: a) contacting protein fragments containing glycated peptidesor glycated amino acids with a fructosyl amino acid oxidase to generatehydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), wherein the protein fragments are generated bycontacting the blood sample with 1) a lysing buffer which releaseshemoglobin from red blood cells in the blood sample; 2) a firstoxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes low molecular weight reducingsubstances; 3) a second oxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes highmolecular weight reducing substances, and 4) a protease which digestsglycated hemoglobin into glycated peptides or glycated amino acids; b)contacting H₂O₂ generated in step a) with a color forming substance inthe presence of a peroxidase to generate a measurable signal; and c)determining percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c in the sample by applying the signal generatedin step b) to a calibration curve without measuring the total hemoglobinin the blood sample separately.

In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent is Dess-Martinperiodinane or N-ethylmaleimide, and wherein the second oxidizing agentis a tetrazolium salt.

In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contains the first oxidizingagent and/or the second oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the lysingbuffer contains the first oxidizing agent, the second oxidizing agent,and the protease. In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contains theprotease.

In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent and the second oxidizingagent are formulated in a single composition. In some embodiments, thefirst oxidizing agent and the second oxidizing agent are formulated in aseparate composition. In some embodiments, the protease is formulated ina single composition with the first oxidizing agent or the secondoxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent, thesecond oxidizing agent, and the protease are formulated in a singlecomposition. In some embodiments, the fructosyl amino acid oxidase, theperoxidase, and the color forming substance are formulated in a singlecomposition.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for directly assayingpercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without measuring the total hemoglobinin the blood sample in a separate process, said method comprising: a)contacting protein fragments containing glycated peptides or glycatedamino acids with a fructosyl amino acid oxidase to generate hydrogenperoxide (H₂O₂), wherein the protein fragments are generated bycontacting the blood sample with 1) a lysing buffer which releaseshemoglobin from red blood cells in the blood sample; 2) an oxidizingagent which is a tetrazolium salt, and 3) a protease which digestsglycated hemoglobin into glycated peptides or glycated amino acids; b)contacting H₂O₂ generated in step a) with a color forming substance inthe presence of a peroxidase to generate a measurable signal; and c)determining percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c in the sample by applying the signal generatedin step b) to a calibration curve without measuring the total hemoglobinin the blood sample separately.

In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contains the oxidizing agent. Insome embodiments, the lysing buffer contains the protease. In someembodiments, the oxidizing agent and the protease are formulated in asingle composition.

In some embodiments, tetrazolium salt is2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazoliummonosodium salt or2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazoliummonosodium salt.

In some embodiments, the color forming substance isN-Carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)-diphenylaminesodium salt (DA-64),N,N,N′N′,N″,N″-Hexa(3-sulfopropyl)-4,4′,4″,-triamino-triphenylmethanehexasodium salt (TPM-PS), or110-(carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-phenothiazinesodium salt (DA-67).

In some embodiments, the blood sample is a whole blood or collectedblood cells.

In some embodiments, the protease is an endo-type protease or anexo-type protease. In some embodiments, the protease is selected fromthe group consisting of proteinase K, pronase E, ananine, thermolysin,subtilisin and cow pancreas proteases. In some embodiments, the proteaseis a neutral protease of Aspergillus or Bacillus origin. In someembodiments, the protease generates a glycated peptide from about 2 toabout 30 amino acid residues. In some embodiments, the proteasegenerates glycated glycine, glycated valine or glycated lysine residueor a glycated peptide comprising glycated glycine, glycated valine orglycated lysine residue.

In some embodiments, the peroxidase is horseradish peroxidase.

In some embodiments, the protein fragments containing the glycatedpeptide or glycated amino acid are contacted with the fructosyl aminoacid oxidase and the peroxidase sequentially or simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the fructosyl amino acid oxidase comprises theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1(MGGSGDDDDLALAVTKSSSLLIVGAGTWGTSTALHLARRGYTNVTVLDPYPVPSAISAGNDVNKVISSGQYSNNKDEIEVNEILAEEAFNGWKNDPLFKPYYHDTGLLMSACSQEGLDRLGVRVRPGEDPNLVELTRPEQFRKLAPEGVLQGDFPGWKGYFARSGAGWAHARNALVAAAREAQRMGVKFVTGTPQGRVVTLIFENNDVKGAVTGDGKIWRAERTFLCAGASAGQFLDFKNQLRPTAWTLVHIALKPEERALYKNIPVIFNIERGFFFEPDEERGEIKICDEHPGYTNMVQSADGTMMSIPFEKTQIPKEAETRVRALLKETMPQLADRPFSFARICWCADTANREFLIDRHPQYHSLVLGCGASGRGFKYLPSIGNLIVDAMEGKVPQKIHELIKWNPDIAANRNWRDTLGRFGGPNRVMDFHDVKEWTNVQYRDISKLKGELEGLPIPNPLLRTGHHHHHH).

In some embodiments, the method is used in the prognosis or diagnosis ofa disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder isdiabetes.

In another aspect, the invention provides kits for directly assayingpercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without the need of a separatemeasurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples, comprising: a)a lysing buffer that lyses blood cells to release hemoglobin; b) a firstoxidizing agent that selectively oxidizes low molecular weight reducingsubstances; c) a second oxidizing agent that selectively oxidizes highmolecular weight reducing substances; d) a protease that hydrolyzeshemoglobin into protein fragments containing glycated peptides orglycated amino acids; e) a fructosyl amino acid oxidase that reacts withglycated peptides and glycated amino acids to generate hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂); f) a peroxidase and a color forming substance; and g)calibrator(s) with known percentage of glycated hemoglobin or knownpercentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c for use in constructing acalibration curve. The kit may further comprise instructions to performthe methods described herein.

In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent and/or the secondoxidizing agent are contained in the lysing buffer. In some embodiments,the first oxidizing agent and/or the second oxidizing agent arecontained in the same buffer with the protease.

In another aspect, the invention provides kits for directly assayingpercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without the need of a separatedmeasurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples, said kitcomprising: a) a lysing buffer that lyses blood cells to releasehemoglobin; b) an oxidizing agent, wherein the oxidizing agent is atetrazolium salt; c) a protease that hydrolyzes hemoglobin into proteinfragments containing glycated peptides or glycated amino acids; d) afructosyl amino acid oxidase that reacts with glycated peptides andglycated amino acids to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); e) aperoxidase and a color forming substance; and f) calibrator(s) withknown percentage of glycated hemoglobin or known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c for use in constructing a calibration curve. The kit mayfurther comprise instructions to perform the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent is contained in the lysingbuffer. In some embodiments, the protease is contained in the lysingbuffer. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent and the protease areformulated in a single composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows the timeline of the single channel HbA1c enzymatic assayprocedure.

FIG. 2 shows a calibration curve for enzymatic HbA1c assay. X-axis showspercentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c known for the calibration sample;and Y-axis shows the corresponding difference in absorbance value at 700nm between 8 min and 5 min after adding reagent R1a and R1b.

FIG. 3 shows the correlation between the single channel enzymatichemoglobin A1c assay described in Example 1 and Tosoh's HPLC method. Yaxis shows the HbA1c value measured using the single channel enzymatichemoglobin A1c assay described in Example 1 for samples; and X-axisshows HbA1c value measured using the Tosoh HPLC method for thecorresponding samples.

FIG. 4 shows a calibration curve for enzymatic HbA1c assay using oneoxidizing agent as described in Example 2. X-axis shows percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c known for the calibration sample; and Y-axisshows the corresponding difference in absorbance value at 700 mm between8 min and 5 min after adding reagent R1a and R1b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination ofpercentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of aseparate measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. Inone aspect, the methods utilizes two different types of oxidizing agentswhich selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances(mainly ascorbic acid and free thio-containing molecules) andhigh-molecular weight reducing substances (mainly hemoglobin) in bloodsamples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases,fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and peroxidase. In another aspect, themethods utilizes one type of oxidizing agent which selectively oxidizehigh-molecular weight reducing substances in blood samples, coupled withenzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acidoxidase, and peroxidase. The invention also provides kits for performingthe methods of the invention.

A. Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications,published applications and other publications referred to herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forthin this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with adefinition set forth in the patents, applications, publishedapplications and other publications that are herein incorporated byreference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over thedefinition that is incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

As used herein, a “fructosyl amino acid oxidase” or (FAOD) refers to anenzyme catalyzing the oxidative deglycation of Amadori products to yieldcorresponding amino acids, glucosone, and H₂O₂, as shown in thefollowing reaction:R₁—CO—CH₂—NH—R₂+O₂+H₂O→R₁—CO—CHO+R₂—NH₂+H₂O₂

wherein R₁ represents the aldose residue of a reducing sugar and R₂represents a residue of an amino acid, protein or peptide. Othersynonyms of amadoriase include amadoriase, fructosyl amine:oxygenoxidoreductase (FAOO), and fructosyl valine oxidase (FVO). For purposesherein, the name “fructosyl amino acid oxidase” is used herein, althoughall such chemical synonyms are contemplated. “Fructosyl amino acidoxidase” also encompasses a functional fragment or a derivative thatstill substantially retain its enzymatic activity catalyzing theoxidative deglycation of Amadori products to yield corresponding aminoacids, glucosone, and H₂O₂. Typically, a functional fragment orderivative retains at least 50% of its amadoriase activity. Preferably,a functional fragment or derivative retains at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%,95%, 99% or 100% of its amadoriase activity. It is also intended that afructosyl amino acid oxidase can include conservative amino acidsubstitutions that do not substantially alter its activity. Suitableconservative substitutions of amino acids are known to those of skill inthis art and may be made generally without altering the biologicalactivity of the resulting molecule. Those of skill in this art recognizethat, in general, single amino acid substitutions in non-essentialregions of a polypeptide do not substantially alter biological activity(see, e.g., Watson, et al., Molecular Biology of the Gene, 4th Edition,1987, The Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co., p. 224). Such exemplarysubstitutions are preferably made in accordance with those set forth inTABLE 1 as follows: TABLE 1 Original residue Conservative substitutionAla (A) Gly; Ser Arg (R) Lys Asn (N) Gln; His Cys (C) Ser Gln (Q) AsnGlu (E) Asp Gly (G) Ala; Pro His (H) Asn; Gln Ile (I) Leu; Val Leu (L)Ile; Val Lys (K) Arg; Gln; Glu Met (M) Leu; Tyr; Ile Phe (F) Met; Leu;Tyr Ser (S) Thr Thr (T) Ser Trp (W) Tyr Tyr (Y) Trp; Phe Val (V) Ile;Leu

Other substitutions are also permissible and may be determinedempirically or in accord with known conservative substitutions.

As used herein, “peroxidase” refers to an enzyme that catalyses a hostof reactions in which hydrogen peroxide is a specific oxidizing agentand a wide range of substrates act as electron donors. It is intended toencompass a peroxidase with conservative amino acid substitutions thatdo not substantially alter its activity. The chief commerciallyavailable peroxidase is horseradish peroxidase.

As used herein, a “composition” refers to any mixture of two or moreproducts or compounds. It may be a solution, a suspension, a liquid, apowder, a paste, aqueous, non-aqueous, or any combination thereof.

B. Methods of Directly Assaying Percentage of Glycated Hemoglobin

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for directlyassaying percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without measuring the totalhemoglobin in the blood sample in a separate process, said methodcomprising: a) contacting protein fragments containing glycated peptidesor glycated amino acids with a fructosyl amino acid oxidase to generatehydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), wherein the protein fragments are generated bycontacting the blood sample with 1) a lysing buffer which releaseshemoglobin from red blood cells in the blood sample; 2) a firstoxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes low molecular weight reducingsubstances; 3) a second oxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes highmolecular weight reducing substances, and 4) a protease which digestsglycated hemoglobin into glycated peptides or glycated amino acids; b)contacting H₂O₂ generated in step a) with a color forming substance inthe presence of a peroxidase to generate a measurable signal; and c)determining percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c in the sample by applying the signal generatedin step b) to a calibration curve without measuring the total hemoglobinin the blood sample separately.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method fordirectly assaying percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentageof glycated hemoglobin A1c, said method comprising: a) lysing red bloodcells in a blood sample with a lysing buffer to release hemoglobin; b)oxidizing the lysate with a first oxidizing agent which selectivelyoxidizes low molecular weight reducing substances; c) oxidizing thelysate with a second oxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes highmolecular weight reducing substances; d) contacting the lysate with aprotease to form protein fragments containing glycated peptides and/orglycated amino acids; e) contacting the protein fragments with afructosyl amino acid oxidase to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); f)allowing oxidization of a color forming substance by H₂O₂ generated instep e) in the presence of a peroxidase under Trinder reaction and byunreacted second oxidizing agent to generate a measurable signal; and g)assessing the signal generated in step f); and h) determining thepercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in the sample by comparing the signal to a calibrationcurve without measuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sampleseparately.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for directly assayingpercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c without measuring total hemoglobin separately in a bloodsample, said method comprising: a) lysing red blood cells in a bloodsample with a lysing buffer to release hemoglobin; b) oxidizing thelysate with a first oxidizing agent, wherein the first oxidizing agentis Dess-Martin periodinane and/or N-ethylmaleimide; c) oxidizing thelysate with a second oxidizing agent, wherein the second oxidizing agentis a tetrazolium salt; d) contacting the lysate with a protease to formprotein fragments containing glycated peptides and/or glycated aminoacids; e) contacting the protein fragments with a fructosyl amino acidoxidase to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); f) allowing oxidization ofa color forming substance by H₂O₂ generated in step e) in the presenceof a peroxidase under Trinder reaction to generate a measurable signal;g) assessing the signal generated in step f); and h) determining thepercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in the sample by comparing the signal to a calibrationcurve without measuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sampleseparately.

The blood sample may be lysed, oxidized by the first oxidizing agent,oxidized by the second oxidizing agent, and the lysate fragmented by theprotease simultaneously or by separate steps. Any combination of two ormore of steps may be performed simultaneously. In some embodiments,steps involving lysing the red blood cells in the sample and oxidizingby the first oxidizing agent, lysing the red blood cells and oxidizingby the second oxidizing agent, oxidizing with the first oxidizing agentand the second oxidizing agent, or lysing the red blood cells andoxidizing with the first oxidizing agent and the second oxidizing agentare performed simultaneously. In some embodiments, steps involvinglysing the red blood cells and fragmenting the lysate by the protease,oxidizing with the first oxidizing agent and fragmenting the lysate bythe protease, oxidizing with the second oxidizing agent and fragmentingthe lysate by the protease, or oxidizing with the first oxidizing agentand the second oxidizing agent and fragmenting the lysate by theprotease are performed simultaneously. In some embodiments, the stepsinvolving lysing the red blood cells, oxidizing with the first oxidizingagent and the second oxidizing agent, and fragmenting the lysate areperformed simultaneously. In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agentand/or the second oxidizing agent are contained in the lysis buffer, oradded into the blood sample at the same time that the lysis buffer isadded. In some embodiments, the protease is also included in the lysisbuffer with the first and the second oxidizing agent or added into theblood sample at the same time that the lysis buffer and the first andthe second oxidizing agents are added into the blood sample. In someembodiments, the first and/or the second oxidizing agent are in the samesolution with the protease solution before adding into the red bloodcell lysate. In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent and lysingbuffer are formulated in a single composition. In some embodiments, theprotease and the first oxidizing agent or the second oxidizing agent areformulated in a single composition. In some embodiments, the first andthe second oxidizing agents are formulated in a single composition. Insome embodiments, the first and the second oxidizing agents areformulated in a separate composition. In some embodiments, the lysisbuffer contains the protease, or the protease is added into the bloodsample at the same time that the lysis buffer is added.

The first oxidizing agent is a type of oxidizing agent that selectivelyoxidizes low molecular weight (M.W. <3000) reducing substances. Thefirst oxidizing agent has higher oxidizing power toward low molecularweight reducing substances than high molecular weight (M.W. >3000)reducing substances. Examples of low molecular weight substances in theblood sample are ascorbic acid and free thio containing molecules.Examples of first oxidizing agent are Dess-Martin periodinane andN-ethyl maleimide. Other examples of first oxidizing agents are sodiumiodoacetate, sodium periodate, and Chloramine-T. In some embodiments,more than one first oxidizing agents (e.g., both Dess-Martin periodinaneand N-ethyl maleimide) are used.

The second oxidizing agent is a type of oxidizing agent that selectivelyoxidizes high molecular weight (M.W. >3000) reducing substances. Thesecond oxidizing agent has higher oxidizing power toward high molecularweight reducing substances than low molecular weight reducing substance.An example of high molecular weight substances in the blood sample ishemoglobin. An example of second oxidizing agent is a tetrazolium salt(e.g.,2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazoliummonosodium salt, or2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazoliummonosodium salt). Other examples of second oxidizing agent are sodiumdodecyl sulfate, potassium ferricyanide (III), and potassium iodate. Insome embodiments, more than one second oxidizing agent is used.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for directly assayingpercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without measuring the total hemoglobinin the blood sample in a separate process, said method comprising: a)contacting protein fragments containing glycated peptides or glycatedamino acids with a fructosyl amino acid oxidase to generate hydrogenperoxide (H₂O₂), wherein the protein fragments are generated bycontacting the blood sample with 1) a lysing buffer which releaseshemoglobin from red blood cells in the blood sample; 2) an oxidizingagent which is a tetrazolium salt, and 3) a protease which digestsglycated hemoglobin into glycated peptides or glycated amino acids; b)contacting H₂O₂ generated in step a) with a color forming substance inthe presence of a peroxidase to generate a measurable signal; and c)determining percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage ofglycated hemoglobin A1c in the sample by applying the signal generatedin step b) to a calibration curve without measuring the total hemoglobinin the blood sample separately. Any tetrazolium salt described hereinmay be used. Steps a) and b) may be performed sequentially orsimultaneously. In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contains theoxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contains theprotease. In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contains the oxidizingagent and the protease. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent and theprotease are formulated in a single composition.

Blood samples that can be assayed using the present methods includewhole blood or collected blood cells. The red blood cells in the bloodsample are lysed in a lysing buffer to release hemoglobin. Any lysingbuffer (e.g., in the acidic or alkaline pH ranges) that can lyse the redblood cells and release the hemoglobin can be used. Lysing buffergenerally contains a detergent, such as Triton (e.g., Triton X-100),Tween (e.g., Tween 20), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS),cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), tetradecyltrimethylammoniumbromide (TTAB), polyoxyethylene lauryl ethers (POEs), and Nonidet P-40(NP-40).

Any suitable protease can be used in the present methods. Either anendo-type protease or an exo-type protease can be used. Exemplaryendo-type proteases include trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, subtilisin,proteinase K, papain, cathepsin B, pepsin, thermolysin, protease XVII,protease XXI, lysyl-endopeptidase, prolether and bromelain F. Exemplaryexo-type proteases include an aminopeptidase or a carboxypeptidase. Inone example, the protease is proteinase K, pronase E, ananine,thermolysin, subtilisin or cow pancreas proteases. Metaloproteases andneutral proteinases from Aspergillus sps, Alicyclobacillus sps, andBacillus sps may also be used.

The protease can be used to generate a glycated peptide of any suitablesize. For example, the protease can be used to generate a glycatedpeptide from about 2 to about 30 amino acid residues. In anotherexample, the protease is used to generate glycated glycine, glycatedvaline or glycated lysine residue or a glycated peptide comprisingglycated glycine, glycated valine or glycated lysine residue.

Glycated peptide and/or glycated amino acid are contacted with afructosyl amino acid oxidase. Any fructosyl amino acid oxidase (FAOD)can be used. Fructosyl amino acid oxidase may be purified orrecombinantly produced. Any naturally occurring species may be used. Inone example, the FAOD used is of Aspergillus sp. origin (See, e.g.,Takahashi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272(6):3437-43, 1997). Other fructosylamino acid oxidase, e.g., disclosed in GenBank Accession No. U82830(Takahashi et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272(19):12505-12507 (1997) anddisclosed U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,138 can also be used. A functionalfragment or a derivative of an amadoriase that still substantiallyretain its enzymatic activity catalyzing the oxidative deglycation ofAmadori products to yield corresponding amino acids, glucosone, and H₂O₂can also be used.

Normally, a functional fragment or a derivative of an amadoriase retainsat least 50% of its enzymatic activity. Preferably, a functionalfragment or a derivative of an amadoriase retain at least 50%, 60%, 70%,80%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% of its enzymatic activity.

Any of the chimeric proteins having the enzymatic activities of FAODdescribed in the U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0014935 can be used. In someembodiments, the fructosyl amino acid oxidase comprises from theN-terminus to C-terminus: a) a first peptidyl fragment comprising abacterial leader sequence from about 5 to about 30 amino acid residues;and b) a second peptidyl fragment comprising an FAOD. In someembodiments, the FAOD comprises the following amino acid sequence: (SEQID NO:1) MGGSGDDDDLALAVTKSSSLLIVGAGTWGTSTALHLARRGYTNVTVLDPYPVPSAISAGNDVNKVISSGQYSNNKDEIEVNEILAEEAFNGWKNDPLFKPYYHDTGLLMSACSQEGLDRLGVRVRPGEDPNLVELTRPEQFRKLAPEGVLQGDFPGWKGYFARSGAGWAHARNALVAAAREAQRMGVKFVTGTPQGRVVTLIFENNDVKGAVTGDGKIWRAERTFLCAGASAGQFLDFKNQLRPTAWTLVHIALKPEERALYKNIPVIFNIERGFFFEPDEERGEIKICDEHPGYTNMVQSADGTMMSIPFEKTQIPKEAETRVRALLKETMPQLADRPFSFARICWCADTANREFLIDRHPQYHSLVLGCGASGRGFKYLPSIGNLIVDAMEGKVPQKIHELIKWNPDIAANRNWRDTLGRFGGPNRVMDFHDVKEWTNVQYRDISKLKGELEGLPIPNPLLRTGHHHHHH.

The chimeric protein may be produced in bacterial cells, such as E.coli. The protein produced may be purified and assayed for the enzymaticactivities. Assays for enzymatic activities of FAOD are known in the art(See e.g., Takahashi et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272(6):3437-43 (1997) andU.S. Pat. No. 6,127,138). Four exemplary assays for enzymatic activitiesof amadoriases are disclosed in Takahashi et al., J. Biol. Chem.,272(6):3437-43 (1997).

The hydrogen peroxide generated in the reaction catalyzed by thefructosyl amino acid oxidase is assessed by Trinder reaction. A colorforming substance and a peroxidase is added into the reaction, the colorforming substance is oxidized by the hydrogen peroxide to form a colorsubstance such as quinoneimine or Bindschedler's green derivatives andH₂O. The amount of quinoneimine or Bindschedler's green productgenerated can be determined by measuring absorbance between about 500 nmto about 800 nm (such as around 700 nm). Without wishing to be bound bytheory, the second oxidizing agent unreacted with the high molecularweight substance in the blood lysate may also react with the colorforming substance to the form colored product, and thus the absorbancemeasured reflects the percentage of total glycated hemoglobin andpercentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in the blood sample. Examples ofcolor forming substances areN-(Carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)-diphenylaminesodium salt (DA-64),N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″-Hexa(3-sulfopropyl)-4,4′,4″,-triamino-triphenylmethanehexasodium salt (TPM-PS), and10-(carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-phenothiazinesodium salt (DA-67). An example of peroxidase is a horseradishperoxidase.

In some embodiments, the glycated peptide and/or glycated amino acid arecontacted with the fructosyl amino acid oxidase and the peroxidasesequentially or simultaneously. In some embodiments, the FAOD, theperoxidase, and the color forming substance are formulated in a singlecomposition. In some embodiments, the FAOD, the peroxidase, and thecolor forming substance are formulated in a different composition andare added into the reaction at the same time or at different times.

The percentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in the blood sample is determined by comparing theabsorbance (e.g., absorbance at around 700 nm) to a calibration curve.Using the present methods, the percentage of total glycated hemoglobinor percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in the blood sample isdetermined without measuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sampleseparately. The calibration curve is established using calibrator, i.e.,samples (including blood samples and artificial calibrators) with knownpercentage of glycated hemoglobin or known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c. See, e.g., Example 1.

In some embodiments, the calibration curve is prepared by determiningsignal levels (e.g., absorbance at around 700 nm) for calibrationsamples by performing the same steps as the unknown samples withoutmeasuring the total hemoglobin separately; and graphing the correlationbetween the signal levels of the calibration samples and the knownpercentage of glycated hemoglobin or known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c of the calibration samples. For example, whole bloodsamples having percentages of glycated hemoglobin A1c value assigned bycomparison to a suitable higher order reference material can be used ascalibrators. Alternative, the percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c maybe determined by another recognized method such as HPLC. Calibrators aretested the same way as the unknown samples using the methods describedherein. The absorbance values measured for calibrators are plottedagainst the expected HbA1c value to establish the calibration curve.

Calibrators other than whole blood sample may also be used to establisha calibration curve. Hemolysate samples (lysed blood samples), glycatedpeptides, glycated amino acid, and glycated amino acid derivatives in asuitable buffered protein matrix solution having percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c value assigned by comparison to a suitable higher orderreference material can be used as artificial calibrators. For example,calibration samples may be prepared in a phosphate buffered solutionwith 10% BSA and appropriate amounts of synthesized fructosylpropylamine (glycated amino acid) corresponding to various percentage ofHbA1c (e.g., from 5% o 12%). Artificial calibrators are tested the sameway as unknown samples except that the lysing step may not be used. Theabsorbance values measured for these calibrators are plotted against theexpected HbA1c value to establish the calibration curve. Artificialcalibrators may be lyophilized or stabilized for extended shelf life.

The present methods can be used for any suitable purpose. Preferably,the method used in the prognosis or diagnosis of a disease or disorder,e.g., diabetes.

C. Kits for Assaying Percentage of Glycated Hemoglobin

The invention also provides a kit for assaying percentage of totalglycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c withoutmeasuring the total hemoglobin separately in a blood sample, said kitcomprising: a) a lysing buffer that lyses blood cells to releasehemoglobin; b) a first oxidizing agent that selectively oxidizes lowmolecular weight reducing substances; c) a second oxidizing agent thatselectively oxidizes high molecular weight reducing substances; d) aprotease that hydrolyzes hemoglobin into protein fragments containingglycated peptides or glycated amino acids; e) a fructosyl amino acidoxidase that reacts with glycated peptides and glycated amino acids togenerate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); f) a peroxidase and a color formingsubstance; and g) glycated hemoglobin or glycated hemoglobin A1ccalibrator(s) (i.e., calibrator(s) with known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin or known percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c) for use inconstructing a calibration curve.

In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent Dess-Martin periodinaneand/or N-ethylmaleimide. In some embodiments, the second oxidizing agentis a tetrazolium salt.

In some embodiments, the lysing buffer contain the first oxidizing agentand/or the second oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the lysingbuffer contains the protease. In some embodiments, the lysing buffercontains the first oxidizing agent, the second oxidizing agent, and theprotease. In some embodiments, the first oxidizing agent and the secondoxidizing agent are formulated in a single composition. In someembodiments, the first oxidizing agent and the second oxidizing agentare formulated in a separate composition. In some embodiments, theprotease is formulated in a single composition with the first oxidizingagent and/or the second oxidizing agent.

The invention also provides a kit for directly assaying percentage oftotal glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in ablood sample without the need of a separated measurement of totalhemoglobin content in blood samples, said kit comprising: a) a lysingbuffer that lyses blood cells to release hemoglobin; b) an oxidizingagent, wherein the oxidizing agent is a tetrazolium salt; c) a proteasethat hydrolyzes hemoglobin into protein fragments containing glycatedpeptides or glycated amino acids; d) a fructosyl amino acid oxidase thatreacts with glycated peptides and glycated amino acids to generatehydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); e) a peroxidase and a color forming substance;and f) calibrator(s) with known percentage of glycated hemoglobin orknown percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c for use in constructing acalibration curve. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent is containedin the lysing buffer. In some embodiments, the protease is contained inthe lysing buffer. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent and theprotease are contained in the lysing buffer. In some embodiments, theprotease and oxidizing agent are formulated in a single composition.

In some embodiments, the fructosyl amino acid oxidase and the peroxidaseare formulated in a single composition. In some embodiments, thecalibrator is a blood sample with known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c, which may be in lyophilized form or in solution.

In some embodiments, the kit comprises a lysing buffer, a R1a reagent, aR1b reagent, and a R2 reagent. In some embodiments, the lysing buffercomprises a first oxidizing agent (e.g., N-ethylmaleimide and/or DessMartin Periodinane). In some embodiments, the R1a reagent comprises aprotease and a first oxidizing agent (e.g., N-ethylmaleimide and/or DessMartin Periodinane). In some embodiments, the R1b reagent comprises afirst oxidizing agent (e.g., N-ethylmaleimide and/or Dess MartinPeriodinane) and a second oxidizing agent (e.g., a tetrazolium salt). Insome embodiments, the R2 reagent comprises a fructosyl amino acidoxidase, a peroxidase (e.g., horseradish peroxidase), and a colorforming substance (e.g., DA-64). For examples, the lysing buffer maycontain 0.1-10% Triton X-100 (e.g., about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.5%,about 1%, about 2.5%, about 5%, about 7.5%, about 10%); 5-100 mM CHES(e.g., about 5 mM, about 10 mM, about 25 mM, about 50 mM, about 75 mM,about 100 mM), pH about 8.7; 0.1-50 mM N-ethylmaleimide (e.g., about 0.1mM, about 0.5 mM, about 1 mM, about 5 mM, about 10 mM, about 20 mM,about 30 mM, about 40 mM, about 50 mM); 0.1-5% SDS (e.g., about 0.15%,about 0.25%, about 0.35%, about 0.45%, about 0.55%, about 0.75%, about1%, about 2.5%, about 5%); 0.001-1 KU/ml catalase (e.g., about 1 U/ml,about 2 U/ml, about 3 U/ml, about 4 U/ml, about 5 U/ml, about 10 U/ml,about 50 U/ml, about 100 U/ml, about 500 U/ml, about 1 KU/ml); 0.001-1KU/ml ascorbate oxidase (e.g., about 1 U/ml, about 2 U/ml, about 4 U/ml,about 5 U/ml, about 10 U/ml, about 50 U/ml, about 100 U/ml, about 1KU/ml). The R1a reagent may contain 0.1-10 KU/ml Bacillus sp Protease(e.g., about 0.1 KU/ml, about 2 KU/ml, about 3.0 KU/ml, about 3.5 KU/ml,about 4.0 KU/ml, about 4.5 KU/ml, about 5 KU/ml, about 10 KU/ml); 1-100mM MES (e.g., about 1 mM, about 5 mM, about 10 mM, about 25 mM, about 50mM, about 100 mM), pH about 7.0; 1-10 mM CaCl₂ (e.g., about 1 mM, about2.5 mM, about 5 mM, about 7.5 mM, about 10 mM); 0.01-10 mM Dess MartinPeriodinane (e.g., about 0.01 mM, about 0.015 mM, about 0.02 mM, about0.05 mM, about 0.1 mM, about 5 mM, about 10 mM); 0.01-5 mg/ml methyl4-hydroxybenzoate sodium salt (e.g., about 0.01 mg/ml, about 0.05 mg/ml,about 0.1 mg/ml, about 1 mg/ml, about 5 mg/ml); and 0.001-1 mg/mlgeneticin (G418) (e.g., about 0.001 mg/ml, about 0.01 mg/ml, about 0.1mg/ml, about 1 mg/ml). The R1b reagent may contain 0.1-50 mM MES hydrate(e.g., about 0.1 mM, about 0.5 mM, about 1.0 mM, about 10 mM, about 25mM, about 50 mM); 0.1-50 mM WST-3(2-(4-Iodopenyl)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,monosodium salt) (e.g., about 0.1 mM, about 0.5 mM, about 1 mM, about2.5 mM, about 2.6 mM, about 2.7 mM, about 2.8 mM, about 2.9 mM, about3.0 mM, about 5 mM, about 10 mM, about 25 mM, about 50 mM); and 0.01-10mM Dess Martin Periodinane (e.g., about 0.01 mM, about 0.04 mM, about0.05 mM, about 0.06 mM, about 0.07 mM, about 0.08 mM, about 0.09 mM,about 0.1 mM, about 1 mM, about 5 mM, about 10 mM). The R2 reagent maycontain 0.01-10 KU/ml fructosyl valine oxidase (e.g., about 0.01 KU/ml,about 0.012 KU/ml, about 0.013 KU/ml, about 0.0135 KU/ml, about 0.014KU/ml, about 0.0145 KU/ml, about 0.015 KU/ml, about 0.0155 KU/ml, about0.016 KU/ml, about 0.05 KU/ml, about 0.1 KU/ml, about 1 KU/ml, about 5KU/ml, about 10 KU/ml); 1-50 mM Tris-HCl (e.g., about 1 mM, about 5 mM,about 10 mM, about 15 mM, about 20 mM, about 50 mM), pH about 8.0;0.1-10% Triton X-100 (e.g., about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.5%, about1%, about 2.5%, about 5%, about 7.5%, about 10%); 0.01-10 KU/ml horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (e.g., about 0.01 KU/ml, about 0.05 KU/ml, about0.08 KU/ml, about 0.09 KU/ml, about 0.1 KU/ml, about 1.0 KU/ml, about 5KU/ml, about 10 KU/ml); 0.01-10 mM DA-64 (e.g., about 0.01 mM, about0.05 mM, about 0.075 mM, about 0.08 mM, about 0.085 mM, about 0.09 mM,about 0.1 mM, about 1 mM, about 5 mM, about 10 mM); and 0.01-10 mg/mlgeneticin (G418) (e.g., about 0.01 mg/ml, 0.05 mg/ml, about 0.1 mg/ml,about 5 mg/ml, about 10 mg/ml). The kit may further compriseinstructions to practice methods described herein. The kit may be usedin described in detail in Example 1.

The kits of the invention may be in any suitable packaging. Suitablepackaging includes, but is not limited to, vials, bottles, jars,flexible packaging, and the like. Kits may further comprise instructionsfor practicing any of the methods described herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Single Channel HbA1c Enzymatic Assay

This single channel HbA1c test is an enzymatic assay in which samplesare lysed and reacted with agents to eliminate low molecular weight andhigh molecular weight signal interfering substances. The lysed wholeblood samples are subjected to extensive protease digestion withBacillus sp protease. This process releases amino acids includingglycated valine from the hemoglobin beta chains. Glycated valine is thenserved as a substrate for specific recombinant fructosyl valine oxidase(FVO) enzyme, produced in E. coli. The recombinant FVO specifically cancleave N-terminal valine and produce hydrogen peroxide in the presenceof selective agents. This, in turn, is measured using a horse radishperoxidase (POD) catalyzed reaction and a suitable chromagen. The HbA1cconcentration is expressed directly as % HbA1c by use of a suitablecalibration curve.

1. Reagent Compositions.

Lysis buffer: 50 mM CHES pH 9.4, 2% Triton X-100, 3 mM Dess-MartinPeriodinane, and 2.5 mM N-ethyl Maleimide.

Reagent R1a: 25 mM MES buffer pH 6.5, 5 mM CaCl₂, 1000 U/ml neutralprotease (Toyobo Co., Ltd.), 2 mM N-ethyl Maleimide.

Reagent R1b: 25 mM MES pH 6.5, 150 mM sodium chloride, 5 mM Dess-MartinPeriodinane, 2 mM WST3(2-(4-Iodopenyl)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,monosodium salt (manufactured by Dojindo Laboratories)).

Reagent R2: 25 mM Tris, pH 8.2, 5 U/ml fructosyl amino acid oxidasehaving the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 50 U/ml HorseRadish Peroxidase, and 0.5 mM chromagen(N-(carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-4,4′-bis(dimethylamino) diphenylaminesodium salt (product name DA-64, manufactured by Wako).

II. Assay Procedure

Lysis buffer (500 μL) was dispensed in a suitable container such as asample cup or an eppendorf microfuge tube. Prior to testing, whole bloodsamples were mixed by gentle inversion to resuspend settlederythrocytes. Fully resuspended whole blood sample (40) was mixed gentlywith the lysis buffer using a suitable pipettor without creating foam.The mixture was then incubated for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature.Complete lysis was observed when the mixture became a clear red solutionwithout any particulate matter.

Reagents R1a and R1b were mixed in 70:30 volume ratio prior to use.Reagent R1b was poured into R1a, and the reagents were mixed gently byinversion to form Reagent R1ab.

Reagent R1ab (170 μL) and lysate (20 μL) were added into a cuvette, andmixed. The cuvette was incubated at 37° C. for 5 minutes. The reactioncan also be carried out at room temperature. After the incubation, 50 μLof Reagent R2 was added into the cuvette. The absorbance at 700 nm wasmonitored for 3 minutes. The absorbance value was calculated forcalibrators, controls and samples by subtracting O.D. value at A2(absorbance at 3 min after the addition of R2) from O.D. value at A1(absorbance right after the addition of R2), i.e., ΔA700=(A2−A1). Thetimeline of the reaction is shown in FIG. 1. Values of unknown sampleswere determined by use of a calibration curve shown, e.g., in FIG. 2which was represented directly in HbA1c % units.

The calibration curve (FIG. 2) was prepared using data from measuringΔA700 for three standard samples with known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c (6.25%, 10.00%, and 15.00%) following the proceduredescribed above. The calibrators were prepared by testing suitable wholeblood material for HbA1c values using HPLC method. The whole bloodmaterial used for calibration could be lyophilized or stabilized forextended shelf life.

As shown in Table 2, the value of percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1cobtained using the method described above (column under “obtainedvalue”) correlates with expected value in the sample. The expected valuefor a sample was obtained from HPLC. The ranges for the expected valueindicate acceptable value ranges. TABLE 2 HbA1c (%) Samples ExpectedValue (HPLC) Obtained Value 1  6.2 (5.27-7.13) 6.84 2   12.2(10.37-14.03) 12.13 3 5.9 (5.0-6.8) 5.15 4 11.1 (9.4-12.7) 11.18 5 5.45.21 6 9.1 9.30 7 5.4 5.71 8 9.0 9.17III. Precision of the Single Channel Enzymatic Hemoglobin A1c Assay

The within-run precision was evaluated with two different % HbA1c levelfresh whole blood samples (sample ID 10810285 low HbA1c and sample ID10810244 high HbA1c) replicated 16 times. The evaluation was done usingthe Hitachi 917 auto-analyzer instrument and the single channelenzymatic hemoglobin A1c assay described in this example. Normal Controland pathonormal controls were included in the study.

The whole blood samples with verified % HbA1c values used for this studywere obtained from a certified commercial source, ProMedDx, LLC (10Commerce Way, Norton, Mass. 2766) and came with an IRB certificationthat protocols, informed consent, used to collect samples were IRBapproved.

Table 3 below shows the precision of the single channel enzymatichemoglobin A1c assay. TABLE 3 ID 10810285 ID 10810244 (% HbA1c) (%HbA1c) Mean value 4.8% 8.2% Intra run SD 0.07 0.05 Intra run CV % 1.4%0.6%IV. Accuracy of the Single Channel Enzymatic Hemoglobin A1c Assay

To demonstrate accuracy, the single channel enzymatic hemoglobin A1cassay was used with individual whole blood samples (ID series depictedbelow) and compared to Tosoh's HbA1c HPLC assay, which is the currentlymarketed HbA1c device (Tosoh G7: HbA1c Variant Analysis Mode). Theaccuracy study tests were performed on the Hitachi 917 Auto-analyzerinstrument.

The whole blood samples with verified HbA1c values used for this studywere from a certified commercial source, ProMedDx, LLC and came with anIRB certification that protocols, informed consent, used to collectsamples were IRB approved.

The comparison study included 30 test samples and the results obtainedare shown in Table 4 below. “Tosoh % HbA1c” indicates values obtainedusing Tosoh's HbA1c HPLC method for the samples. “DZ % HbA1c” indicatescorresponding values obtained using the single channel enzymatichemoglobin A1c assay described in this example. TABLE 4 Fresh WholeBlood Sample ID Tosoh % HbA1c DZ % HbA1c 1 10810257 4.9 5.1 2 108972265.1 5.4 3 10897227 5.1 5.1 4 10897229 5.2 5.4 5 10897230 5.3 5.2 610845039 8.7 8.4 7 10845043 8.5 8.7 8 10845044 7.1 6.8 9 10845045 7.87.5 10 10845059 6.9 6.8 11 10810281 10.9 11.7 12 10897261 9.6 10.0 1310897272 10.1 10.9 14 10897278 14.4 15.6 15 10897231 5.6 5.6 16 108972345.7 5.8 17 10897238 5.4 5.4 18 10897239 5.7 5.9 19 10897241 5.4 5.3 2010845060 7.6 7.4 21 10845063 8.1 7.3 22 10845065 6.4 6.4 23 10845066 6.56.6 24 10845068 6.7 6.3 25 10897285 10.8 9.7 26 10897286 9.9 10.4 2710897290 9.7 8.7 28 10897295 9.6 9.8 29 DZ Ctl L1 Lot CON100405B-1 5.35.4 30 DZ Ctl L2 Lot CON200405B-1 10.9 10.9

FIG. 3 shows the HbA1c value (%) obtained using the single channelenzymatic hemoglobin A1c assay described in this example plotted againstresults obtained with Tosoh's HPLC methods. As shown in FIG. 3, theslope was 1.05; the correlation coefficient between the two methods was0.96; and the y intercept was −0.367.

Example 2 Single Channel HbA1c Enzymatic Assay Using One Oxidizing Agent

The procedures of single channel HbA1c test in this example were similarto the procedures described in Example 1 except only one oxidizing agentwas used for oxidizing reducing substances in the blood samples.

I. Reagent Compositions

Lysis buffer: 50 mM CHES pH 9.4, and 2% Triton X-100.

Reagent R1a: 25 mM MES buffer pH 6.5, 5 mM CaCl₂, 1000 U/ml neutralprotease (Toyobo Co., Ltd.).

Reagent R1b: 25 mM MES pH 6.5, 150 mM sodium chloride, and 2 mM WST3(2-(4-Iodopenyl)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,monosodium salt (manufactured by Dojindo Laboratories)).

Reagent R2: 25 mM Tris, pH 8.2, 5 U/ml fructosyl amino acid oxidasehaving the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 50 U/ml HorseRadish Peroxidase, and 0.5 mM chromagen(N-(carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-4,4′-bis(dimethylamino) diphenylaminesodium salt (product name DA-64, manufactured by Wako).

II. Assay Procedure

Lysis buffer (500 μL) was dispensed in a suitable container such as asample cup or an eppendorf microfuge tube. Prior to testing, whole bloodsamples were mixed by gentle inversion to resuspend settlederythrocytes. Fully resuspended whole blood sample (40 μL) was mixedgently with the lysis buffer using a suitable pipettor without creatingfoam. The mixture was then incubated for 5 to 10 minutes at roomtemperature. Complete lysis was observed when the mixture became a clearred solution without any particulate matter.

Reagents R1a and R1b were mixed in 70:30 volume ratio prior to use.Reagent R1b was poured into R1a, and the reagents were mixed gently byinversion to form Reagent R1ab.

Reagent R1ab (170 μL) and lysate (20 μL) were added into a cuvette, andmixed. The cuvette was incubated at 37° C. for 5 minutes. After theincubation, 50 μL of Reagent R2 was added into the cuvette. Theabsorbance at 700 nm was monitored for 3 minutes. The absorbance valuewas calculated for calibrators, controls and samples by subtracting O.D.value at A2 (absorbance at 3 min after the addition of R2) from O.D.value at A1 (absorbance right after the addition of R2), i.e.,ΔA700=(A2−A1). The timeline of the reaction is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the data from measuring ΔA700 (Y-axis) for the samplesfollowing the procedure described above plotted against known percentageof glycated hemoglobin A1c. FIG. 4 indicates that percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c can also be determined directly without a separatemeasurement of total hemoglobin using a reagent system with a singleoxidizing agent tetrazolium, though the results (accuracy andcorrelation) were not as good as those obtained with a reagent systemwith two oxidizing agents as described in Example 1.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatcertain changes and modifications may be practiced. Therefore,descriptions and examples should not be construed as limiting the scopeof the invention, which is delineated by the appended claims.

1. A method for directly assaying percentage of total glycatedhemoglobin or percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in a blood samplewithout measuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sample in a separateprocess, said method comprising: a) contacting protein fragmentscontaining glycated peptides or glycated amino acids with a fructosylamino acid oxidase to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), wherein theprotein fragments are generated by contacting the blood sample with 1) alysing buffer which releases hemoglobin from red blood cells in theblood sample; 2) a first oxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes lowmolecular weight reducing substances; 3) a second oxidizing agent whichselectively oxidizes high molecular weight reducing substances, and 4) aprotease which digests glycated hemoglobin into glycated peptides orglycated amino acids; b) contacting H₂O₂ generated in step a) with acolor forming substance in the presence of a peroxidase to generate ameasurable signal; and c) determining percentage of total glycatedhemoglobin or percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in the sample byapplying the signal generated in step b) to a calibration curve withoutmeasuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sample separately.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first oxidizing agent is Dess-Martinperiodinane or N-ethylmaleimide, and wherein the second oxidizing agentis a tetrazolium salt.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lysingbuffer contains the first oxidizing agent or the second oxidizing agent.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the lysing buffer contains the firstoxidizing agent and the second oxidizing agent.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the lysing buffer contains the first oxidizing agent, thesecond oxidizing agent, and the protease.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the lysing buffer contains the protease.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the first oxidizing agent and the second oxidizing agent areformulated in a single composition.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first oxidizing agent and the second oxidizing agent are formulatedin a separate composition.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theprotease is formulated in a single composition with the first oxidizingagent or the second oxidizing agent.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first oxidizing agent, the second oxidizing agent, and the proteaseare formulated in a single composition.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the fructosyl amino acid oxidase, the peroxidase, and the colorforming substance are formulated in a single composition.
 12. The methodof claim 2, wherein tetrazolium salt is2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazoliummonosodium salt or2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazoliummonosodium salt.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the color formingsubstance isN-Carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)-diphenylaminesodium salt (DA-64),N,N,N′N′,N″,N″-Hexa(3-sulfopropyl)-4,4′,4″,-triamino-triphenylmethanehexasodium salt (TPM-PS), or10-(carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-phenothiazinesodium salt (DA-67).
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the blood sampleis a whole blood or collected blood cells.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein the protease is an endo-type protease or an exo-type protease.16. The method of claim 1, wherein the protease is selected from thegroup consisting of proteinase K, pronase E, ananine, thermolysin,subtilisin and cow pancreas proteases.
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein the protease is a neutral protease of Aspergillus or Bacillusorigin.
 18. The method of claim 2, wherein the protease generates aglycated peptide from about 2 to about 30 amino acid residues.
 19. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the protease generates glycated glycine,glycated valine or glycated lysine residue or a glycated peptidecomprising glycated glycine, glycated valine or glycated lysine residue.20. The method of claim 1, wherein the peroxidase is horseradishperoxidase.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the protein fragmentscontaining the glycated peptide or glycated amino acid are contactedwith the fructosyl amino acid oxidase and the peroxidase sequentially orsimultaneously.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the fructosyl aminoacid oxidase comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1(MGGSGDDDDLALAVTKSSSLLIVGAGTWGTSTALHLARRGYTNVTVLDPYPVPSAISAGNDVNKVISSGQYSNNKDEIEVNEILAEEAFNGWKNDPLFKPYYHDTGLLMSACSQEGLDRLGVRVRPGEDPNLVELTRPEQFRKLAPEGVLQGDFPGWKGYFARSGAGWAHARNALVAAAREAQRMGVKFVTGTPQGRVVTLIFENNDVKGAVTGDGKIWRAERTFLCAGASAGQFLDFKNQLRPTAWTLVHIALKPEERALYKNIPVIFNIERGFFFEPDEERGEIKICDEHPGYTNMVQSADGTMMSIPFEKTQIPKEAETRVRALLKETMPQLADRPFSFARICWCADTANREFLIDRHPQYHSLVLGCGASGRGFKYLPSIGNLIVDAMEGKVPQKIHELIKWNPDIAANRNWRDTLGRFGGPNRVMDFHDVKEWTNVQYRDISKLKGELEGLPIPNPLLRTGHHHHHH).


23. The method of claim 1, which is used in the prognosis or diagnosisof a disease or disorder.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein thedisease or disorder is diabetes.
 25. A kit for directly assayingpercentage of total glycated hemoglobin or percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without the need of a separatedmeasurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples, said kitcomprising: a) a lysing buffer which lyses blood cells to releasehemoglobin; b) a first oxidizing agent which selectively oxidizes lowmolecular weight reducing substances; c) a second oxidizing agent whichselectively oxidizes high molecular weight reducing substances; d) aprotease which hydrolyzes hemoglobin into protein fragments containingglycated peptides or glycated amino acids; e) a fructosyl amino acidoxidase which reacts with glycated peptides and glycated amino acids togenerate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); f) a peroxidase and a color formingsubstance; g) calibrator(s) with known percentage of glycated hemoglobinor known percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c for use in constructing acalibration curve; and h) instructions to perform the method of claim 1.26. The kit of claim 25, wherein the first oxidizing agent and thesecond oxidizing agent are contained in the lysing buffer.
 27. The kitof claim 25, wherein the first oxidizing agent and the second oxidizingagent are contained in the same buffer with the protease.
 28. The kit ofclaim 25, wherein the fructosyl amino acid oxidase, the peroxidase, andthe color forming substance are formulated in a single composition. 29.A method for directly assaying percentage of total glycated hemoglobinor percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in a blood sample withoutmeasuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sample in a separateprocess, said method comprising: a) contacting protein fragmentscontaining glycated peptides or glycated amino acids with a fructosylamino acid oxidase to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), wherein theprotein fragments are generated by contacting the blood sample with 1) alysing buffer which releases hemoglobin from red blood cells in theblood sample; 2) an oxidizing agent which is a tetrazolium salt, and 3)a protease which digests glycated hemoglobin into glycated peptides orglycated amino acids; b) contacting 1H₂O₂ generated in step a) with acolor forming substance in the presence of a peroxidase to generate ameasurable signal; and c) determining percentage of total glycatedhemoglobin or percentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in the sample byapplying the signal generated in step b) to a calibration curve withoutmeasuring the total hemoglobin in the blood sample separately.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, wherein the lysing buffer contains the oxidizingagent.
 31. The method of claim 29 or 30, wherein the lysing buffercontains the protease.
 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the oxidizingagent and the protease are formulated in a single composition.
 33. A kitfor directly assaying percentage of total glycated hemoglobin orpercentage of glycated hemoglobin A1c in a blood sample without the needof a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples,said kit comprising: a) a lysing buffer which lyses blood cells torelease hemoglobin; b) an oxidizing agent, wherein the oxidizing agentis a tetrazolium salt; c) a protease which hydrolyzes hemoglobin intoprotein fragments containing glycated peptides or glycated amino acids;d) a fructosyl amino acid oxidase which reacts with glycated peptidesand glycated amino acids to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); e) aperoxidase and a color forming substance; f) calibrator(s) with knownpercentage of glycated hemoglobin or known percentage of glycatedhemoglobin A1c for use in constructing a calibration curve; and g)instructions to perform the method of claim
 28. 34. The kit of claim 33,wherein the oxidizing agent is contained in the lysing buffer.
 35. Thekit of claim 33 or 34, wherein the protease is contained in the lysingbuffer.
 36. The kit of claim 33, wherein the oxidizing agent and theprotease are formulated in a single composition.